Life as an Expat in Kuwait

Summer is officially here, and we decided to start it with a change of scenery — a quick but refreshing week-long escape to Bahrain. If you’ve ever lived in Kuwait, you know how good it feels to get a slight break from routine without hopping on a long-haul flight. Bahrain was the perfect choice: just a short hop away, but different enough to feel like a mini adventure.

We spent our days exploring Manama’s souqs, walking along the Corniche, and sampling way too many cups of karak tea. The boys loved the hotel pool (I think that alone made the trip worth it), and I soaked in every quiet moment when I could read by the water or watch the sun slip behind the skyline. It reminded me how much I love exploring the Gulf — the subtle differences in dialect, food, and pace of life keep me curious.

Speaking of curiosity — I’ve set myself two big goals for the rest of this summer:

1. Read at least five books per month

Being an English teacher and writer means I should be reading constantly, but life has a way of eating up that time. This summer, I’m determined to carve it back out — fiction, memoirs, or anything that sparks ideas for my own novel in progress (Sky Between the Minarets is getting closer, I promise!). If you have recommendations, please send them my way — I love swapping book lists.

2. Learn a new hobby

I haven’t decided 100% yet, but I’m leaning toward something calming and creative — maybe watercolor painting or pottery. Part of moving abroad has been rediscovering little parts of myself that used to get buried under work and errands. So this summer, between pages and prayer breaks, I want to sit still and make something just for fun.

Here’s to a summer of slow mornings, good books, and trying new things — both at home in Kuwait and wherever we wander next. If you’ve got summer plans, hobbies, or book suggestions, drop them in the comments — I’d love to hear how you’re making the most of these sunny days.

Until next time — ma’a as-salama!